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21
Aug
The Piano's Duncan and Fran to perform in Harrogate
A Harrogate man who performed on Channel 4’s The Piano is set to perform in concert next month.
The upcoming performance ‘a Summer Afternoon Concert’ at St Peter’s Church, will be a joint performance between Duncan and his wife Fran.
The event has been organised by the couple and their church and will see Duncan playing the piano while Fran sings.
Eighty-year-old Duncan captured the hearts of viewers with a song he wrote for his wife of 42 years, Fran.
He played A Theme for Fran, which he wrote 30 years ago, on a piano in Manchester Piccadilly Station and won a spot in the final concert of the Channel 4 show where he performed in front of international pop star Mika and leading pianist Lang Lang.
Duncan on Channel 4's The Piano. Image: Channel 4
Duncan and Fran’s romance saw them become fan favourites. The pair first met in 1964 and have lived in Harrogate for many years. He previously played the piano at Betty’s until the Covid pandemic.
Duncan has had Alzheimer's disease for six years but was only diagnosed with it two years ago, and now uses his musical talent as a form of medicine.
He recently played his biggest performance since his appearance on The Piano in Harrogate’s Wesley Chapel and now the pair will play together in a more intimate setting.
Fran said:
We are looking forward to it. It gives Duncan the opportunity to do what he loves and also gives something back to raise funds and awareness.
We thought a fundraiser might help. It will be an enjoyable experience with easy listening music. We’d like to see as many people there as possible.
Fran said they will play songs that people know, ranging from 1920s music to the Beatles and Leonard Cohen.
The concert will raise funds in aid of St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, which has needed some repair work.
The event begins at 2pm. Tickets cost £10 and will be available on the door.
St Peter's Church, Harrogate
Upcoming concerts
Duncan also has upcoming concerts later in the year in support of local charity Dementia Forward. The couple are regular volunteers for Dementia Forward’s Harrogate singing group.
Ripon - September 20
He is set to perform in Ripon in September at St John’s Church, Sharow.
Tickets and more information is available here.
Harrogate - October 5
Duncan is then set to return to Harrogate’s Wesley Chapel for a solo concert on October 5.
Fran said:
The last concert at the Wesley Chapel sold out a fortnight before and the concert was amazing.
So many people were upset they missed out on seeing him last time, so we are thrilled to do it again.
Tickets and more information for the Wesley Chapel event can be found here.
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